Health Care Support Worker

Job overview

Do you want to work for a Trust that is rated outstanding for its care and delivers the best patient experience in the NHS (according to the Adult Inpatient Survey)?

We are currently recruiting for a Health care support worker to join our Out-Patient Team, to support the preparation and effective running of our clinics and procedure room

Main duties of the job

You will be trained to undertake Venepuncture , both basic and specialist  , ECGs , height / weight , blood pressure monitoring  , urine testing  and will use  these skills daily as well as   undertaking training to work in enhanced treatment room –  where  local anaesthetic operations are undertaken, working as support for registered practitioners

Start times of shifts will be variable, from 07.30 am onwards, we are open 6 days a week  including  evenings . To meet service demand  the ability to work flexible/ variable  shifts is  essential.

We are looking for  a colleague who  can  communicate effectively with a wide range of people, and applicants must be confident in keeping our patients updated with information.

Our out-patient healthcare assistants play a vital role in maintaining  standards of  cleanliness.  They also undertake manual handling of patients & equipment, and the role involves standing/ walking   for lengthy  periods of time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

1. To communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare & administration teams, patients, relatives & carers & to answer the telephone, taking messages, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality & informing senior staff as required.

2. To introduce self, using principles of “my name is …” in all communications with others, to be welcoming and reassuring to patients, visitors, and carers /relatives.

3. Working as part of the wider multidisciplinary team for the benefit of the patient, recognising and respecting each member of the teams’ role and contribution

4. Explain all procedures & care to patients. To observe patient’s condition and behaviour, reporting any changes/concerns promptly and accurately to appropriate staff member.

5. Identify the patient and ensure that the correct patient records, required are available for each area of work responsible for

6. Effectively provide and receive information orally, in writing & electronically daily

7. For each clinic/procedure, throughout each clinic/procedure, ensure patients, visitors & relevant others are kept informed regarding timings and reasons for any delays, as per Department Standard Operating Procedure, with regular visual and verbal updates. Keep team leader informed &up to date.

8. Able to instigate help in the event of an emergency and assist senior team, as trained & required to do so.

9. Maintain; ensure cleanliness and control tock/equipment/rooms used in all areas of Outpatient Department to standards expected by Manager and Infection, prevention, and control team, following per policy / procedure /processes.

10. Clean, adjust and perform routine maintenance on equipment & clinic/procedure rooms to ensure proper functioning, reporting to the nurse in charge any faults detected., plus report using online system clean & label appropriately

11. Under the direct/indirect supervision of trained staff, be able to assist patients in all aspect of patient care within competencies trained to do so, within NVQ Level 2 for direct care or equivalent.

12. Implementing all aspects of patient care when chaperoning patients, assisting in the direct care, toileting, and moving and handling patients, ensuring their dignity and privacy are maintained whilst always ensuring the safety of both patients and staff when required daily

13. To prepare and effectively run Out Patients Clinics/Outpatient procedures including the preparation of patient records and the physical environment required, ensuring equipment / PPE available and ready to use , & to process all documentation appropriately, includes checking all clinic outcome forms completed by clinicians. Indicating to clinician or team lead when not completed

14. To ensure understand specific requirements for individual clinic(s)/procedures, that are responsible for, so that they run in a timely manner , effectively and that these requirements are undertaken (E.G Patients directed to plaster room/ x ray / clinic/procedure room / requiring wound care with correct information / forms – have tests undertaken or given appropriate score forms to complete)

15. Effective use of appropriate Trust computer systems to obtain & use /report information, as well as effective verbal reporting to senior staff (E.g. EPR, Lorenzo PAS, BMI, Intranet, in touch kiosk, Datex, digital services, Estates & facilities works requisitions, Blue Spier (if required) and new systems introduced)

16. Escort/Direct patients/visitors effectively to other departments or areas for treatment, procedures, investigations, or rehabilitation purposes.

17. To undertake MRSA screening & specimens of urine effectively & safely. To test urine for any abnormalities. Have a basic knowledge of urinalysis and ability to report the results to the nurse in charge as well as documenting appropriately

18. Ensure that the safe and correct disposal of bodily waste & linen and all waste is carried out following the Trust’s infection control policy.

19. To perform& Obtain measurements of a patient’s height and weight, and report clinical observation of the patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, peak flow, Pulmonary Function Test, oxygen saturation and blood sugar, when appropriately trained and document appropriately, reporting abnormality to RN or Clinician

20. To assist and support the trained nurses & plaster technicians with the delivery of patient care.

21. To maintain cleanliness of the department and assist in cleaning. To have a good knowledge of infection control policies/procedures/processes.

22. Be compliant with Department / Areas of work Standard Operating Procedures (SOP s)

23. To undertake training in specific medicine management Main Opd training and follow all protocols regarding being the key holder role.

24. Check any test requisitions are completed as per policy, informing senior staff member if unable to take test due to incomplete request.

25. When trained and &deemed competent to do so, daily collect blood samples by venepuncture from adults (and children if appropriately trained) in setting as required Maintain competence by regularly carrying out procedure and update training as required, following Trust policies and procedures relating to blood transfusion / infection control / sharp safety and other relevant policies/procedures

26. When trained and competent to do so use blood centrifuges in department appropriately as required.

27. Collect samples in the appropriate containers. Ensure that the safe and correct disposal of equipment and correctly label all samples/ ECG s.

28. Transport specimens safely to the laboratory or point of collection as per Trust policy.

29. Observe the patient following any sample collection and report any adverse effect to the nurse in charge

30. When trained & evidenced as competent to do so, operate electrocardiograph equipment to perform routine ECG tests upon appropriate request Able to prepare patient for an ECG by explaining procedure

31. When trained & evidenced as competent to do so, undertake venepuncture for PRP treatment .and assist procedure as required

32. Participate in personal and professional development.

33. Participate in mandatory training programmes

34. When trained to do so, prepare patients for any necessary procedures, within their competencies and assist in procedure as required using skills competent in.

We welcome & encourage candidates to visits us informally , prior to interview